My Clarity

Chapter twenty - four

''A fire,'' Molly nursed a brandy, having never taken such a liquor aback in the way a gentleman did but since returning with Jack to his state room, she had poured two glasses for them.

''A fire that couldn't be quashed. Perhaps that is a sign.'' A raised eyebrow to Jack did nothing to dispel his temper. He sat on a chaise, paying no mind to the way in which his friend watched his every move, it was as though he was under house arrest, or worse, been mothered.

''One is different to the other.''

''How so?''

''Which could you refer to?''

''Jack, I saw how you watched her, how you longed with an infatuation. Lord knows there was no shortage of women who would do anything to please you.''

''That's what makes them boring.'' He said gravely. ''I do not want any woman.''

''Rose DeWitt Bukater is a woman who couldn't be handled even by the most experienced of men.''

Jack sighed in exasperation. ''I do not wish to handle her, or do anything other than to protect her. It will be a smooth exchanging of vows, almost like a business transaction of some kind. I can ensure that she is safe then--''

''From Hockley?''

''Yes, and from the vultures of society. She wants freedom, more than anything I do wish to give her that.''

Molly sat forward in the chaise; her eyes red from exhaustion. ''Do you know, I would put money on that girl, chasing you from dusk until dawn. I am not blind, but I am a mother, and in tune to this behaviour. The girls a fool and so are you, but she is in love with you if nothing else.''

''What did you say?''

''I said do not be a fool. You already risked your life, do not risk hers."

With fear at his side, suddenly gripping him, Jack was taken aback when the door to his stateroom opened and Rose stood, with eyes widely startled as she entered. In love with him?

The thought was like a dagger into his heart. A dagger which had been inserted and now he was slowly bleeding. There was life within him. Life which stirred for her; those feelings which he had cradled for what felt like a damned eternity were alive, and existing. Love, or something which felt closed to the emotion.

Darting between Molly and Jack, she settled them on him alone, sitting on a chaise with his back straight, holding his liquor and dressed in his three-piece suit as though he was just about to attend dinner and she, her, Miss. Rose DeWitt Bukater in a rose hue gown, simple cut, but the bodice was provocatively low and the waist snug but the entire slender beauty of her figure was a joy to behold. The pain from Jack's shoulder would have taken his breath away if the sight of her, there, in the doorway hadn't already. Rose must have caught sight of the way of his gaze, as she turned to Molly and released a breath as she pulled her camel-coloured coat further across her shoulders. It wasn't fit for winter, but it would have to do.

''We're underway. There is a ship approaching, the Californian, I heard. They are sending lifeboats here for passengers and the officers launching boats to take passenger across to the rescue ship.''

Jack nodded in approval. ''Very well, let us make our way up to get into the lifeboats. I have no desire to sit aboard until we sink.''

''You must see a doctor.'' Molly intervened. ''You need that burn looking at, Jack, at once. There must be a physician about with the supply to medicate you right away.''

''I will once we are on the rescue ship.'' Jack turned to Molly. ''Go on ahead, I must pack one or two things.''

''John and Madeline are waiting in the A-Deck foyer for word on when we can get underway,'' she raised a brow, ''I shall expect you there shortly, both of you.''